Bag holder and opening device

ABSTRACT

A stack of collapsed or folded paper bags is placed on a horizontal platform supported by a tubular base frame having an upwardly projecting portion for guiding a rectangular vertically movable bag retaining frame. In one embodiment, the bag retaining frame supports on one end inwardly projecting curved tabs which rest on the uppermost bag in the stack. On its other end, the frame supports cylindrical members which frictionally grip and restrain the folded bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag as the top portion of the bag is pulled upwardly from the tabs, thereby causing the bag to unfold to an open condition. The bag retaining frame is reversible on the vertical guide portion of the base frame for accommodating a stack of bags packaged in groups with their bottom portions arranged at opposite ends of the stack. In another embodiment, the bag retaining frame supports an L-shaped arm which carries the frictional gripping members and is pivotable to locate the gripping members at either end of the frame where the arm is retained by a catch member.

United States Patent [191 Musser Jan. 1, 1974 BAG HOLDER AND OPENING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Malcolm E. Musser, P0. 386. ABSTRACT Jackson Center Ohm 45334 A stack of collapsed or folded paper bags is placed on [22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1971 a horizontal platform supported by a tubular base frame having an upwardly projecting portion for guid- [211 App]' 173063 ing a rectangular vertically movable bag retaining frame. In one embodiment, the bag retaining frame 52 US. Cl. 53/384, 53/390, 221/65 pp on one end inwardly p j g curved tabs 51 Int. Cl. B65b 43/26 which rest on the uppermost g in the stack. n it [58] Field of Search 53/384, 390, 188, other end, the frame pp y in ri al members 53/189, 190, 187; 221/56, 65, 67; 206/57 A which frictionally grip and restrain the folded bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag as the top portion [56] References Cited of the bag is pulled upwardly from the tabs, thereby UNITED STATES PATENTS causing the bag to unfold to an open condition. The bag retaining frame is reversible on the vertical guide SL112; 53/]89 X portion of the base frame for accommodating a stack 1, "I918 Bans of bags packaged in groups with their bottom portions g 9/|97| piazze arranged at opposite ends of the stack. In another em- 2,641,400 6/1953 sim bodiment, the bag retaining frame supports an L- 3,220,l63 l 1/1965 Celis shaped arm which carries the frictional gripping mem- 3,285,406 ll/l966 Wincsett 53/384 X bers and is pivotable to locate the gripping members Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. Culver Atturney-William R. Jacox et al.

at either end of the frame where the arm is retained by a catch member.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 1 19M SHEET 1 0F 3 l/VVE/VTOR MALCOLM E. MUSS ER ATTORNEYS sum 2 or 3 PATENTEI] JAN 1 I974 PATENTEDJAH SHEET 30F 3 1 BAG HOLDER AND OPENING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION cles. Usually, the folded bags are purchased in bundles each consisting of several groups of bags arranged in reverse directions so that the bottom portions of the bags in one group are located between the open top portions of the bags in each adjacent group. The groups or stacks of bags are stored at the checkout counters within suitable bins,.and successive bags are manually removed and opened to a usable condition upon demand.

Applicants copending application Ser. No. 30,807, filed Apr. 22, I970, now US. Pat. No. 3,670,096, discloses apparatus which is particularly suited for placing within a storage bin at a checkout counter or to be used as a free standing unit for successively dispensing paper bags and which provides for automatically opening each bag when it is pulled from the unit. The present invention is directed to simplified embodiments of the apparatus shown in the above application and which particularly provides for automatically opening each paper bag as it is pulled upwardly from a stack of bags supported by a horizontal surface or platform.

The apparatus of the present invention is especially suited for locating at the end of a checkout counter to provide a supply of bags which may be conveniently used in a successive manner and which also provides for maintaining the supply of bags in a compact, neat and orderly arrangement. The apparatus also provides for conveniently handling or accommodating a stack of bags as they are removed from supply bundles, that is, with alternate groups of bags arranged in reverse orientation. The invention is illustrated in the form of two embodiments each of which is simple in construction and assembly and which is capable of receiving a stack of bags of substantial thickness or height.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag holding and dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating a stack of folded paper bags thereon;

FIG. 2 is a section of the apparatus taken generally along the line of 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the stack of bags in elevation;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the opposite end portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the opposite end portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5-7 are fragmentary perspective views similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating the removal of a bag from the apparatus and the automatic opening of the bag;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an opened paper bag ready for use;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and showing another embodiment of the invention and illustrating the different positions of a bag gripping arm;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 2, taken generally on the line 10-40 of FIG. 9, and illustrating the bag gripping arm in one position; and

FIG. 11 is a section similar to FIG. 10 and illustrating the bag gripping arm in its other position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus shown in FIG. 1, includes a rectangular tubular base frame 15 consisting of a pair of vertical rear legs 17 integrally connected by a longitudinally extending upper frame member 18. The frame 15 also includes a pair of front legs 19 which are shorter than the rear legs 17 and are rigidly connected by an upper frame member 21. A pair of longitudinally extending parallel lower frame members 22 rigidly connect the corresponding pairs of rear legs 17 and front legs 19, and a pair of parallel lower cross members 23 rigidly connect the rear legs 17 to the front legs 19. The front and rear legs are also rigidly connected by a rectangular platform 25 which mounts on the longitudinal frame member 21 and has length and width dimensions substantially the same as those of a stack S of collapsed or folded paper bags B, each having an open top end portion 26 and a folded bottom end portion 28.

A rectangular bag retaining frame 30 includes a pair of longitudinally extending side members or channels 32 which are rigidly connected by laterally extending end members or channels 34 and 36. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the side channels 32 and end channels 34 includes an upper horizontal flange portion 38 integrally connected by a web portion 39 to a lower flange portion 41 which slopes downwardly and outwardly from the web portion 39.

A pair of spaced curved ears or tabs 43 are secured to the end frame member or channels 34 and project upwardly and inwardly so that the tabs 43 rest upon the upper end portion 26 of the uppermost bag B within the stack S. A pair of cylindrical gripping members 44, preferably formed of a molded plastics material, are rigidly secured to the opposite end member or channel 36 of the frame 30 by a corresponding pair of U-shaped wire brackets 46 which extend through the gripping members 44. The inside length of the bag retaining frame 30 is slightly greater than the width of the base frame 15 so that the retaining frame 30 slides downwardly over the stack of bags and the rear legs 17, thereby holding the bags in the upper portion of the stack against the rear legs 17.

As mentioned above, when the frame 30 is placed over the rear legs 17 of the base frame 15 and onto a stack S of folded paper bags B on the platform 25, the tabs 43 engage the top end portion of the uppermost bag B, and the gripping members 44 engage the lower folded edge portion 28 of the uppermost bag B. To assure that the gripping members 44 exert a substantial downward force on the bottom portions of the stacked bags, a weight member 48 (FIG. 4), in the form of an elongated metal bar, is secured to the end channel 36 of the frame 30 adjacent the underneath surface of the flange portion 38. v

When it is desired to remove a bag from the stack S,

one side of the upper end portion 26 of the uppermost bag, is gripped and lifted usually with one hand as illustrated in FIG. 5, causing the upper side of the bag to be pulled upwardly from engagement with the tabs 43. As the upper side of the bag is pulled upwardly (FIG. 6),

the gripping members 44 frictionally restrain the lower folded edge of the bottom portion 28 (FIG. 7) so that the bag is pulled to an open position or condition before the opposite side of the top portion 26 is released by the tabs 43 and before the lower edge of the bottom portion 28 is pulled from the gripping members 44. Thus by the time the bag is completely pulled or removed from the frame 30, the bag is automatically unfolded to its open position or condition as shown in F IG. 8.

While the paper bags B forming the stack S shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, all have their folded bottom portions 28 in overlying relation to one end of the stack, as mentioned above, the bags may be stacked on the platform 25 with alternate groups of bags having their folded bottom portions at opposite ends of the stack and at opposite ends of the platform 25. The alternately arranged groups of bags may be conveniently accommodated simply by lifting the bag retaining frame 30 from the rear legs 17 of the base frame 15, reversing the frame 30 180 and then lowering the frame 30 back onto the stack of paper bags so that the gripping members 44 will engage the bottom edge portion 28 of each folded bag within the next successive group.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11 which show another embodiment of the invention, a rectangular bag retaining frame 50 has the same inner dimensions sufficient to encompass several bags in a stack thereof and includes parallel side plates 52 which rigidly connect parallel end plates 54. An upper horizontal flange 56 projects outwardly from each of the side plates 52, and a lower flange 57 slopes downwardly and outwardly from each of the side plates 52. A corresponding lower flange 58 slopes downwardly and outwardly from each of the end plates 54, and a pair of integral curved tabs 59 project upwardly and inwardly from each of the end plates 54.

An L-shaped arm 65 formed of square solid bar stock, includes one leg 66 which is pivotally connected to one of the upper side flanges 56 by a U-shaped bracket 67 and a pivot pin 68. The other leg 71 of the arm 65 extends across the width of the frame 50 and supports a pair of cylindrical friction gripping members 72 which are rigidly mounted on corresponding U- shaped wire brackets 73 secured to the leg 71 of the arm 65.

A hook or catch member 75 is mounted on each end wall or plate 54 of the frame 50 by an outwardly projecting ear 76 and a pivot pin 78. Each catch member 75 includes an upper cam surface 81 and a notch 82 which are adapted to engage and receive the leg 71 of the arm 65. A coil tension spring 84 extends between each catch member 75 and the adjacent end wall or plate 54 to bias or urge the catch member 75 towards the end plate 54 of the frame 50.

The function of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11 is generally the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7. That is, after a stack S of bags B is placed on the platform 25 of the base frame 15, the bag retaining frame 50 is lowered downwardly onto the stack of bags until the top portion of the uppermost bag is engaged by the corresponding ears 59 of the frame 50, and the bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag is engaged by the gripping members 72. The gripping members 72 exert substantial downward force on the bags as a result of the combined weight of the arm 65 and the corresponding end of the frame 50.

As mentioned above and as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the stack S of bags B may be received directly from a bundle in which the bags are stacked in groups G in an alternating manner. After the bags in one group are successively removed and opened for use by pulling upwardly on each bag, the arm is released from one end of the frame 50 by pulling outwardly on the corresponding catch 75. The arm 65 is then pivoted to the opposite end of the frame 50 where it snaps into engagement with the corresponding catch 75. As a result, the gripping members 72 are moved to the bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag on the next group of bags in the stack. Thus in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11, it is not necessary to lift the bag retaining frame 50 from the base frame 15 to accommodate a stack of folded bags arranged in reverse alternating groups G as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

From the drawings and the above description, it is apparent that a bag holder and opening device or apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, provides desirable features and advantages. For example, each of the embodiments provides for conveniently removing and automatically opening a series of bags simply by lifting up on one side of the bag to pull the bag from the top of the stack. In each embodiment, the apparatus is not only simple and economical in construction, but is convenient in use. in addition, each embodiment provides for conveniently accommodating a stack of bags consisting of groups of bags arranged in alternating reversed relation.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Apparatus for successively dispensing paper-like bags, each having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising:

means forming a fixed generally horizontal surface for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed collapsed bags,

engagement means resting upon the uppermost bag in the stack and frictionally gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack,

gravity movable carrier means attached to said engagement means as the engagement means rests upon the uppermost bag in the stack and supports the carrier means so that the engagement means and the gravity movable carrier means move downwardly under the force of gravity with decreasing height of the stack, the carrier means and the engagement means being freely movable upwardly from the stack and from other parts of the apparatus so that additional bags can be added to the stack at the top thereof,

said engagement means being effective to grip and to restrain the bottom edge portion of each uppermost bag in the stack when the top portion of the uppermost bag is pulled upwardly from the stack to provide for automatically unfolding each uppermost bag to its open condition when the uppermost bag is removed from the stack.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier means for said engagement means comprise a generally rectangular frame having opposite end portions and adapted to extend at least partially around the stack of bags, and means projecting upwardly from said bag supporting surface and attached thereto for locating and guiding said frame for vertical movement relative to the stack of bags.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said engagement means comprise at least one gripper member mounted on an end portion of said frame.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including tab means projecting inwardly and upwardly from at least one end portion of said frame and resting upon the top portion of the uppermost bag for retaining the top portions of the bags and for supporting the corresponding end portion of said frame.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means forming said bag supporting surface comprise a horizontal platform, and said means for locating and guiding said frame comprise a vertical frame member projecting upwardly from said platform.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said carrier means is effective to locate said engagement means alternately at opposite ends of the stack of bags, supported on said horizontal surface, for accommodating a stack of bags consisting of groups of bags arranged with their bottom portions at alternately opposite ends of the stack.

7; Apparatus for opening the uppermost bag in a generally vertical stack of generally horizontal folded paper-like bags as the uppermost bag is removed from the stack,

fixed support means for supporting a stack of horizontal paper-like bags,

gravity movable weight means adapted to rest upon and to be supported entirely by the uppermost bag in a stack thereof, said gravity movable weight means being freely movable upwardly from the stack for removal from other parts of the apparatus so that additional bags can be added to the stack at the upper part thereof, and

said gravity movable weight means including means for engaging the bottom portion of the uppermost bag and for restraining movement thereof from the stack as the upper portion of the uppermost bag is grasped and moved upwardly from the stack to cause opening of the bag as the bag is remove from the stack.

8. Apparatus for successively dispensing paper-like bags, each having an open top portion and'a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising:

means forming a fixed generally horizontal platform for supporting a stack of horizontally positioned collapsed bags,

a rectangular bag retaining frame adapted to slide downwardly over a stack of bags on said platform, the bag retaining frame beinga free member which is movable downwardly entirely by gravity as the stack of bags decreases in height, the bag retaining frame being freely movable upwardly from the stack of bags away from other parts of the appara- 6 tus to permit additional bags to be placed upon the top of the stack of bags,

first engagement means, the first engagement means being mounted on one end portion of said frame for frictionally engaging and gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack,

5 second engagement means, the second engagement means being positioned on the opposite end portion of said frame for engaging the upper edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack,

said first and second engagement means resting upon 10 the uppermost bag of the stack and supporting the frame,

said gripping means being effective to restrain the bottom edge portion of each bag when the upper edge portion of the bag is pulled upwardly from said frame to provide for automatically unfolding each bag to its open condition as the bag is removed from the stack.

9. Apparatus for successively dispensing paperlike bags, each having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising:

means forming a fixed generally horizontal surface for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed collapsed bags,

engagement means resting upon the uppermost bag in the stack and frictionally gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack,

carrier means attached to said engagement means as the engagement means rests upon the uppermost bag in the stack and supports the carrier means so that the engagement means and the carrier means move downwardly with decreasing height of the stack,

said engagement means being effective to grip and to restrain the bottom edge portion of each uppermost bag in the stack. when the top portion of the uppermost bag is pulled upwardly from the stack to provide for automatically unfolding each uppermost bag to its open condition when the uppermost bag is removed from the stack,

said means supporting said carrier means being effective to locate said engagement means alternately at opposite ends of the stack of bags, supported on said horizontal surface, for accommodating a stack of bags consisting of groups of bags arranged with their bottom portions at alternately opposite ends of the stack,

said carrier means comprising an arm having a portion supporting said engagement means adjacent the bottom portion of the uppermost bag in the stack, and means supporting said arm for pivotal movement to locate said arm portion and said engagement means at opposite ends of the stack of bags.

10. Apparatus for successively dispensing paperlike bags, each having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising:

means forming a fixed generally horizontal surface for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed collapsed bags,

engagement means resting upon the uppermost bag in the stack and frictionally gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack,

carrier means attached to said engagement means as the engagement means rests upon the uppermost bag in the stack and supports the carrier means so that the engagement means and the carrier means move downwardly with decreasing height of the stack,

said engagement means being effective to grip and to said means supporting said carrier means being effective to locate said engagement means alternately at opposite ends of the stack of bags, supported on said horizontal surface, for accommodating a stack 8 of bags consisting of bags arranged with their bottom portions at alternately opposite ends of the stack,

said carrier means comprising an arm having a portion supporting said engagement means adjacent the bottom portion of the uppermost bag in the stack, and means supporting said arm for pivotal movement to locate said arm portion and said engagement means at opposite ends of the stack of bags,

said carrier means comprising a generally rectangular frame having opposite end portions and adapted to extend at least partially around the stack of bags, and latch means for securing said arm to either said end portion or said frame. 

1. Apparatus for successively dispensing paper-like bags, each having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising: means forming a fixed generally horizontal surface for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed collapsed bags, engagement means resting upon the uppermost bag in the stack and frictionally gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack, gravity movable carrier means attached to said engagement means as the engagement means rests upon the uppermost bag in the stack and supports the carrier means so that the engagement means and the gravity movable carrier means move downwardly under the force of gravity with decreasing height of the stack, the carrier means and the engagement means being freely movable upwardly from the stack and from other parts of the apparatus so that additional bags can be added to the stack at the top thereof, said engagement means being effective to grip and to restrain the bottom edge portion of each uppermost bag in the stack when the top portion of the uppermost bag is pulled upwardly from the stack to provide for automatically unfolding each uppermost bag to its open condition when the uppermost bag is removed from the stack.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier means for said engagement means comprise a generally rectangular frame having opposite end portions and adapted to extend at least partially around the stack of bags, and means projecting upwardly from said bag supporting surface and attached thereto for locating and guiding said frame for vertical movement relative to the stack of bags.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said engagement means comprise at least one gripper member mounted on an end portion of said frame.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including tab means projecting inwardly and upwardly from at least one end portion of said frame and resting upon the top portion of the uppermost bag for retaining the top portions of the bags and for supporting the corresponding end portion of said frame.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means forming said bag supporting surface comprise a horizontal platform, and said means for locating and guiding saId frame comprise a vertical frame member projecting upwardly from said platform.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said carrier means is effective to locate said engagement means alternately at opposite ends of the stack of bags, supported on said horizontal surface, for accommodating a stack of bags consisting of groups of bags arranged with their bottom portions at alternately opposite ends of the stack.
 7. Apparatus for opening the uppermost bag in a generally vertical stack of generally horizontal folded paper-like bags as the uppermost bag is removed from the stack, fixed support means for supporting a stack of horizontal paper-like bags, gravity movable weight means adapted to rest upon and to be supported entirely by the uppermost bag in a stack thereof, said gravity movable weight means being freely movable upwardly from the stack for removal from other parts of the apparatus so that additional bags can be added to the stack at the upper part thereof, and said gravity movable weight means including means for engaging the bottom portion of the uppermost bag and for restraining movement thereof from the stack as the upper portion of the uppermost bag is grasped and moved upwardly from the stack to cause opening of the bag as the bag is removed from the stack.
 8. Apparatus for successively dispensing paper-like bags, each having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising: means forming a fixed generally horizontal platform for supporting a stack of horizontally positioned collapsed bags, a rectangular bag retaining frame adapted to slide downwardly over a stack of bags on said platform, the bag retaining frame being a free member which is movable downwardly entirely by gravity as the stack of bags decreases in height, the bag retaining frame being freely movable upwardly from the stack of bags away from other parts of the apparatus to permit additional bags to be placed upon the top of the stack of bags, first engagement means, the first engagement means being mounted on one end portion of said frame for frictionally engaging and gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack, second engagement means, the second engagement means being positioned on the opposite end portion of said frame for engaging the upper edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack, said first and second engagement means resting upon the uppermost bag of the stack and supporting the frame, said gripping means being effective to restrain the bottom edge portion of each bag when the upper edge portion of the bag is pulled upwardly from said frame to provide for automatically unfolding each bag to its open condition as the bag is removed from the stack.
 9. Apparatus for successively dispensing paperlike bags, each having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising: means forming a fixed generally horizontal surface for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed collapsed bags, engagement means resting upon the uppermost bag in the stack and frictionally gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack, carrier means attached to said engagement means as the engagement means rests upon the uppermost bag in the stack and supports the carrier means so that the engagement means and the carrier means move downwardly with decreasing height of the stack, said engagement means being effective to grip and to restrain the bottom edge portion of each uppermost bag in the stack when the top portion of the uppermost bag is pulled upwardly from the stack to provide for automatically unfolding each uppermost bag to its open condition when the uppermost bag is removed from the stack, said means supporting said carrier means being effective to locate said engagement meaNs alternately at opposite ends of the stack of bags, supported on said horizontal surface, for accommodating a stack of bags consisting of groups of bags arranged with their bottom portions at alternately opposite ends of the stack, said carrier means comprising an arm having a portion supporting said engagement means adjacent the bottom portion of the uppermost bag in the stack, and means supporting said arm for pivotal movement to locate said arm portion and said engagement means at opposite ends of the stack of bags.
 10. Apparatus for successively dispensing paperlike bags, each having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion and being foldable between a collapsed condition and an open condition, said apparatus comprising: means forming a fixed generally horizontal surface for supporting a stack of horizontally disposed collapsed bags, engagement means resting upon the uppermost bag in the stack and frictionally gripping a bottom edge portion of the uppermost bag of the stack, carrier means attached to said engagement means as the engagement means rests upon the uppermost bag in the stack and supports the carrier means so that the engagement means and the carrier means move downwardly with decreasing height of the stack, said engagement means being effective to grip and to restrain the bottom edge portion of each uppermost bag in the stack when the top portion of the uppermost bag is pulled upwardly from the stack to provide for automatically unfolding each uppermost bag to its open condition when the uppermost bag is removed from the stack, said means supporting said carrier means being effective to locate said engagement means alternately at opposite ends of the stack of bags, supported on said horizontal surface, for accommodating a stack of bags consisting of bags arranged with their bottom portions at alternately opposite ends of the stack, said carrier means comprising an arm having a portion supporting said engagement means adjacent the bottom portion of the uppermost bag in the stack, and means supporting said arm for pivotal movement to locate said arm portion and said engagement means at opposite ends of the stack of bags, said carrier means comprising a generally rectangular frame having opposite end portions and adapted to extend at least partially around the stack of bags, and latch means for securing said arm to either said end portion or said frame. 